SAT Writing : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

The awkward tension between Sam and I was, as it turns outcompletely one-sidedNo error

Possible Answers:

awkward

completely one-sided

as it turns out

No error

Sam and I

Correct answer:

Sam and I

Explanation:

The pronoun "I" is only used as the subject of a sentence. "Me" is used as the object of a verb or (as in this case) a preposition. The corrected sentence reads, "The awkward tension between me and Sam was, as it turns out, completely one-sided."

Example Question #243 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

I say that between you and Iwe can definitely eat that entire pizza. No error

Possible Answers:

you and I

between

No error

we

I say

Correct answer:

you and I

Explanation:

The phrase "between you and I" is incorrect because "you" and "I" are acting as the objects of the prepositional phrase "between you and I," where the objective forms of these pronouns ("you" and "me") should be used instead.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

I never heard the official announcement, but I received the news when Mark sent an email to Sharon and I. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

never

Sharon and I

received

when

Correct answer:

Sharon and I

Explanation:

This sentence has a problem with pronoun case in the prepositional phrase "to Sharon and I." "I" is the subjective case of the first-person pronoun, but as an object of the preposition "to," the objective case of the first-person pronoun, "me," should be used. The corrected sentence reads, "I never heard the official announcement, but I received the news when Mark sent an email to Sharon and me."

Example Question #2 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

“I don’t understand why I can’t come to the movies with you,” cried Tina’s younger brother, whom had a strict 8:00 bedtime. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

don't understand

cried

whom

to the movies

Correct answer:

whom

Explanation:

The word "whom" is incorrect because it refers to the brother, who is the subject of the sentence (it is the younger brother who does the crying here). Therefore, the correct word choice would be "who."

Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

My boyfriend and me went to the animal shelter, and together, we adopted a dog. No error

Possible Answers:

me

adopted

No error

went

together

Correct answer:

me

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in its use of the pronoun "me."  The proper subjects of the sentence are "my boyfriend" and "I."  "Me" is an objective pronoun, not a subjective pronoun (e.g., "My boyfriend gave the puppy to me." is correct, but "Me went to the animal shelter" is not correct.)  

Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

It was a frightening experience when our camping leader left my friend and I to set up camp by ourselves while the wolves were howling. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

I

were

by ourselves

when 

Correct answer:

I

Explanation:

When someone is left behind, that person is the object of the action. "Me" is the first person pronoun that is used as an object, not "I." Therefore, the word "I" should be changed to the word "me" in the sentence.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

I had never visited the Mayan ruins until four months ago when my intrepid friends and me decided to take a road trip there. No error

Possible Answers:

had never visited

intrepid friends and me

No error

intrepid

Mayan

Correct answer:

intrepid friends and me

Explanation:

In the clause "my intrepid friends and me decided to take a road trip there," "my intrepid friends and me" are doing the action of deciding. Therefore, the objective-case pronoun "me" should be changed to the subjective-case pronoun "I."

Example Question #2 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Startled by the sudden darkness that fell upon the town, Margaret, Thomas, and me stumbled and clutched at each other. No error

Possible Answers:

that fell upon

clutched at

me

Startled by

No error

Correct answer:

me

Explanation:

This sentence has a problem with pronoun case. Since “me” is a subject, it should be “I.” The corrected sentence reads, "Startled by the sudden darkness that fell upon the earth, Margaret, Thomas, and I stumbled and clutched at each other."

Example Question #3 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

I was almost to the exit of the building, but standing between the doors and I was a gigantic security guard looking right at meNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

standing

exit of

looking right at me

the doors and I 

Correct answer:

the doors and I 

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong pronoun case. If a first person pronoun is the object of a preposition, it should be “me,” not “I.” The corrected sentence reads, "I was almost to the exit of the building, but standing between me and the doors was a gigantic security guard looking right at me."

Example Question #101 : Identifying Pronoun Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

At the start of the soccer season, Coach Stan paid a visit to my parents and I to explain why I was cut from varsity. No error

Possible Answers:

At

parents and I

paid a visit

No error

why

Correct answer:

parents and I

Explanation:

"Parents and I" is the object of the preposition "to," so it should instead be "parents and me."

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